Hosting Sage 50 and Sage 200 in your own Azure subscription

No. Sage 50 Accounts is installed on Windows PCs or a Windows server, and keeps its company data in an ACCDATA folder on the computer that holds it. Sage's Remote Data Access shares that data through the cloud, but Sage says your server or computer still stores it. To use Sage 50 from anywhere, you either use Remote Data Access or run Sage 50 on a hosted desktop, such as Azure Virtual Desktop.

Yes, as a hosted desktop rather than a database move. Sage 50 runs on a Windows session host in Azure, using Azure Virtual Desktop or Remote Desktop on an Azure VM, with its data folder in the same Azure region. Users connect from their own devices. But Sage's system requirements say: "We don't support Sage 50 Accounts on virtual environments like Virtual Machines or Remote Desktop, as they're outside our support scope." So Sage may not help with problems in that set-up. Weigh that before you move.

Sage 50 system requirements

Ask Sage before you move. Sage's December 2025 terms say only your own users may use the software, and you can't provide it as a service to others (Part A, clause 2.4.1). Network use must be agreed with Sage, and away from a local area network Sage may not give technical support (Part A 4.3.1, and Parts B and C 3.1.6 for subscriptions). A third-party IT provider may load Sage 50 on its own computer for you only if you were told so when you bought the licence (Part A 4.3.3). Sage's 2022 article on remote access says the licence lets you run Sage 50 remotely within your licensed number of users. We only set Sage up in your own Azure subscription, for your own users. Ask Sage to confirm in writing that your licence covers that. This isn't legal advice.

Sage 50 terms and conditions (PDF)

Often, if Sage 50 is the only thing you'd move. Sage has three routes that stay within its support. Remote Data Access shares your data through the cloud, so remote users run Sage 50 on their own PCs while your server or computer still stores the data. Sage recommends it for remote access. Sage Accounting is Sage's cloud product. Sage's migration service moves two years of history from Sage 50 v16 or later, but Sage Accounting has no Microsoft 365 email integration or Excel Integrated Reporting, and some Sage 50 Professional features aren't available. Sage Intacct is the cloud option Sage suggests for growing businesses that need more than Sage 50. Azure fits better when Sage 50 is one of several apps moving to Azure Virtual Desktop, and you accept Sage's support position.

Sage on Remote Data Access

Yes. Sage 200 Professional runs on Microsoft SQL Server, and each release supports particular versions. Sage's compatibility checker (updated 6 November 2026) lists SQL Server 2025 and 2022 for 2026 R1; 2025, 2022 and 2019 for 2025 R2; 2022 and 2019 for 2025 R1, 2024 R2 and 2024 R1; 2022, 2019 and 2017 for 2023 R2 and 2023 R1; and 2019, 2017 and 2016 SP3 for 2022 R2 and 2022 R1. Sage also requires Mixed Mode authentication and TLS 1.2.

Sage 200 compatibility checker

Not as a supported option for a Sage 200 Professional you install yourself. Sage's compatibility checker lists SQL Server versions only, not Azure SQL Managed Instance or Azure SQL Database. Sage 200 Business Intelligence also needs Analysis Services on the same machine as SQL Server, and Managed Instance doesn't include Analysis Services. So SQL Server goes on an Azure VM. Sage's own Partner Cloud uses Azure SQL Database, but only through accredited Sage partners.

As a whole system on Azure VMs. SQL Server, the Sage 200 server and the Sage 200 client move together, and users connect through Azure Virtual Desktop or Remote Desktop. Don't move only the database: Sage doesn't support running Sage 200 over a VPN, because the delay can cause poor performance and database timeouts, and it recommends remote desktop for remote working. Sage's virtual infrastructure policy accepts VMs that meet its system requirements. It also says the business partner should be certified for the set-up, and that the customer should be prepared to move to a physical server if a problem can't be traced. If you have a Sage partner, involve them from the start.

Sage's virtual infrastructure policy

Two. Sage 200 Standard is a cloud-based deployment: its server elements run on Azure, set up through Sage's provisioning portal, and the Sage 200 App and Web Client run on each PC. It has no CRM, Business Intelligence, Project Accounting, third-party add-ons or Web, Timesheets and Expenses. Sage 200 Professional on Sage Partner Cloud is deployed by an accredited Sage partner in the partner's Azure subscription, with users on Azure Virtual Desktop and data in Azure SQL Database. It has no CRM or Business Intelligence, and Sage says a customer's own Azure subscription can't be used. If you don't need those features, price these first.

Sage 200 product comparison

Microsoft runs the Azure data centres, physical hosts and network. We set up and support the Azure side in your subscription: the virtual machines, Azure Virtual Desktop or Remote Desktop, networking, backups and access. Sage, or your Sage partner, supports the Sage software, within the limits Sage sets. You keep your Sage and Microsoft licences, your accounts and your data.

Microsoft's shared responsibility model

In your own Azure subscription, in the region you choose. We use UK South (London) by default, and its paired region is UK West (Cardiff). Azure Virtual Desktop stores its configuration data in the geography of the region you pick, and the UK is a supported geography. Your Sage files and databases stay in the region you choose.

Azure Virtual Desktop data locations

It depends on your users and set-up, so we don't quote a figure here. The cost drivers are the number and size of virtual machines and the hours they run (Azure Virtual Desktop can scale down out of hours); storage for disks and user profiles; networking and backup; Microsoft licences, such as user access for Azure Virtual Desktop, RDS CALs, and SQL Server for Sage 200 (pay-as-you-go, or your own licences with Software Assurance through Azure Hybrid Benefit); and pay-as-you-go against one-year or three-year reservations. Your Sage licence is separate. Microsoft's pricing calculator gives list-price estimates, and your assessment gives one for your users.

Azure pricing calculator

For Azure Virtual Desktop on Windows 11 or Windows 10 Enterprise, each user needs an eligible licence, such as Microsoft 365 Business Premium, E3, E5 or F3. For desktops on Windows Server, through Azure Virtual Desktop or Remote Desktop on an Azure VM, each user or device needs a Remote Desktop Services CAL. For Azure Virtual Desktop, that means a CAL with Software Assurance or an RDS User Subscription License. We check what you already have.

Compare Microsoft 365 plans

No. ComputeCloud isn't a Sage partner, and Sage hasn't accredited or endorsed us. We set up and support the Azure side, in your own subscription, on the Sage licence you already have. Sage, Sage 50 and Sage 200 are trademarks of The Sage Group plc.